Ten men nicknamed the “grandpa robbers” are standing trial in Paris over the multimillion-euro robbery of American reality TV star Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week in 2016.
The suspects, aged between 35 and 78, appeared in court on Monday afternoon as the month-long trial began. Kardashian, 44, is expected to testify on May 13.
In one of France’s biggest robberies targeting an individual in the past two decades, Kardashian was tied up and held hostage at gunpoint inside her luxury suite in the early hours of 3 October 2016. The attackers, disguised as police officers, fled with an estimated €10 million in jewellery.
The celebrity entrepreneur later recounted on her reality TV show that she feared she would be raped and murdered during the ordeal. She described the traumatic event in detail during a 2020 appearance on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.
The defendants include men with lengthy criminal records and underworld nicknames such as Old Omar and Blue Eyes, reminiscent of characters from classic French film noir. Prosecutors allege they carefully planned the heist, holding meetings at a Paris bar in the weeks beforehand.
At the time of the robbery, Kardashian was alone in her suite at a so-called “no address” private residence popular among celebrities. Her bodyguard had accompanied her sister, Kourtney Kardashian, to a nightclub.
Kardashian’s habit of posting real-time updates about her location and flaunting her jewellery, including an 18.88-carat diamond engagement ring from her then-husband Kanye West, may have made her an easy target.
Five armed men, reportedly all over the age of 60, arrived at the residence by bicycle or on foot around 2 a.m. They allegedly threatened the concierge at gunpoint, forced him to open Kardashian’s suite, and restrained her inside. Speaking later to police, Kardashian said one of the robbers, with a strong French accent, repeatedly demanded, “The ring, the ring.”
The robbers escaped in under 10 minutes.
Twelve people were initially charged after a lengthy investigation, aided by DNA evidence found at the scene. One suspect has since died and another will be tried separately due to ill health.
The remaining 10 face charges including armed robbery, membership of a criminal gang, and kidnapping, referencing Kardashian’s forced captivity at gunpoint. Eight deny involvement.
Among those admitting some role is Yunice Abbas, 71, who told TF1 TV (TF1 Info) that he stood guard downstairs during the heist. “We were all grandads,” he said, admitting the temptation of a “last big job.” Abbas expressed regret, telling Associated Press: “I will apologise. I mean it sincerely”
Aomar Ait Khedache, known as Old Omar, also admitted involvement but denies he orchestrated the crime.
Another defendant, Gary Madar, brother of Kardashian’s long-serving Paris driver, is accused of providing information about her movements. He denies any wrongdoing.
Kardashian’s lawyer, Michael Rhodes, stated that she expects the trial “to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties.”
The trial, which has already drawn significant media attention, will continue until May 23.
